Steam curled around both of you in the outdoor onsen. You sat behind her on the smooth rocks, a bowl of warm water in your hands.

“Ready?” you asked gently.

She nodded, closing her eyes.

You poured the water carefully over her long black hair, watching the strands cling to her skin. Her back arched slightly under the warmth, her breath soft. You rubbed shampoo into your hands and began working it into her scalp.

She sighed.

“That feels… really nice,” she whispered.